London: Service for those who have died homeless in last year

Gavin Bryars poster

Source: Housing Justice

'Homelessness Ends Lives - We Will Remember Them'. A Service of Commemoration for those who have died homeless in the last year will take place in St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, on Thursday 4 November from 11am -1pm.

This November during Remembrance Week and despite the ongoing pandemic (perhaps with the pandemic making this event even more poignant and important than ever) - we will gather to commemorate those whose lives have been shortened due to homelessness in London.

We remember those who have died on the streets, in hostels and shelters, as well as those who managed to move on to more settled lives but who still relied on homelessness services. We also remember colleagues, staff or volunteers who have died in the past year in remembrance and thanksgiving for their service and support alongside people experiencing homelessness.

Names

The first gesture of dignity in life is being given a name at birth and this is absent when people die homeless and in anonymity. This is why we read out the names at this annual commemoration. Please register the names of persons you wish to be read out during the vigil by clicking on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerYU2RaeC8f0wKUM5s1_451YYOw9bWyirAvrtT9JvUv4gUwQ/formResponse

These should be people known to have died in the Greater London area only since 5th November 2020.

All are welcome

The service is being organised by St Martin-in-the-Fields, The Connection at St Martins and the Museum of Homelessness. Gavin Bryars and his ensemble will be performing at vigil this year along with the Choir With No Name and Streetwise Opera.

See Gavin Bryars here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=quJjqZprGu0